PICTURE GALLERY: Cambridge House Old Boys rugby match

This match was organised by the Cambridge House Rugby Development Group to complement various centenary celebrations currently going on in the school.

The Rugby Development Group are very appreciative of the strong working relationship they enjoy with the school to further their particular aims in this respect.

Had it not been for the considerable time and effort put in by Derek Montgomery Alan Mulholland and Robert Harbison from the rugby development group, ably assisted by current team captain Adrian Hamilton and a group of volunteers gathered from the sixth form, this fixture probably would not have gone ahead. For two days prior to kick off on Wednesday a mammoth effort ensured that the pitch was cleared of snow and ice.

The Rainey Old Boys travelled with a strong side on the day using the opportunity to give many of their current 1st XV a run out after several weeks of weather enforced inactivity, and in the first 20 minutes came up against the younger members of Cambridge House Old Boys. While the home team took time to get used to each other Rainey took advantage with 2 early tries.

A team shuffle then saw the introduction of the more mature 'Old Boys' including former Irish International Brian Robinson, and they managed to keep a clean sheet until the dying seconds of that period when a breakaway try allowed Rainey to increase their lead.

Some inspired passages of play at this stage almost resulted in the home team putting points on the board but the heavy going, it was claimed, took some of the pace from the more mature legs.

A few more substitutions followed but Cambridge House were beginning to gel and the old poacher Paul Spiers was on hand to take a lovely offload from Ian Johnston and slip over the line for a converted try.

Despite the fairly inclement conditions there was a hardy crowd on the touchline enjoying the spectacle and indeed it is hoped that this will become a more permanent fixture in the calendar. A large number of Old Boys were keen to turn up and take part and the rugby development group hope that in future years even more will participate.

Cambridge House Rugby Development Group thank all their sponsors whose support is vital to the work that the group are able to do. We urge all involved with the school to support these sponsors in turn wherever possible.

Thanks must also go to Guy McCullough for his match commentary, Mrs Lisk and Mrs Finlay for their support, Simon Moon for printing the match programs, and most importantly to Rainey Old Boys for providing the opposition on this occasion.

Ballymena Rugby Club provided their facilities for hospitality after the game and special thanks must go to the Ladies Committee for providing sustinence to all the participants.